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Following Congressional speech, Netanyahu stresses alternative to Iran deal
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted yesterday that his address to Congress on Tuesday provided an alternative to the current nuclear deal being discussed with Iran.
In his speech, Netanyahu outlined objections to the emerging accord, in particular the ‘break out’ time it would leave and the suggestion of a 10-year limit to the deal. However, US President Barack Obama called on Netanyahu to provide “viable alternatives.” It was a view echoed yesterday by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who commented that “simply demanding that Iran capitulate is not a plan.” State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said that demanding Iran change “everything under the sun” would be ideal, but cannot be a negotiating position.
In response, Netanyahu said “many around the world heard what Israel has to say about the impending deal with Iran” thanks to his speech, which had been received “with great resonance.” He stated, “In my speech before the Congress, I presented a practical alternative, which would impose tougher restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, extending Iran’s breakout time by years.” Explaining further, Netanyahu said, “Firstly, I called to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in order to extend the time period needed to reach a bomb … Secondly, I called to maintain all current restrictions on Iran as long as it continues to sponsor terror, act aggressively in the region and threaten to annihilate the State of Israel.”
The first polls since Netanyahu’s Congressional address were published yesterday evening. They indicated that his Likud Party had received a modest bump, putting it more or less neck and neck with the Zionist Union two weeks before Israelis go to the polls.
Also yesterday, Kerry completed a third day of talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif in Switzerland. Both appeared to indicate that a deal is in the balance. Kerry said “it is certainly possible that we won’t” reach agreement, while Zarif told NBC, “We believe that we are very close, very close and we could be very far.”